Motor for structural toys.



F. HORNBY. MOTOR F OR STRUCTURAL TOYS.

APPLICATION FlLED FEB. $1913.

Patbnrod Aug. 2%), 1.916.

4SHEETS-SHEET 1.

$228583 v I INVEITTTOR l F.HORNBY. MOTOR FOR STRUCTURAL TOYS.

APPLICATION HLED FEB. 3| 9K3- 1,196,238. 1 I Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

O- o IoO o o WITTNJESSESZ F. HORNBY. MOTOR FOR STRUCTURAL TOYS;APPLlCATlON FILED FEB. 3. 191a.

mmea Aug. 29, 1916.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

v F. HORNBY. MOTOR FOR STRUCTURAL TOYS. APPLICATION FILED FEB 31. I913-iatented Aug. 29,1916.

' 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

mkm- INVENTOR WITTNESSES of. Such a motor should have a powerfuln STATESP EN E FRANK Bonner, ormvRRrooL, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR T0 MECCANO LIMITED,or

' LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND, A CORPORATION or GREAT BRITAIN.

MOTOR FoR STRUCTURAL TOYS. i

Patented Aug. 29, 1916.

Application filed February a, 1913. Serial No. 745,928.

To all whom/it mag/concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK HORNBY, a subject of the King of GreatBritaimanda resident of Liverpool, England, have invented certainr newand useful Improvements" in Motorsfor. Structural Toys, of which thefollowing is a specification.

The invention relates to small working models made up from standardparts comprising perforated strips and plates connected by bolts andnuts, the perforations besidesbeingavailable for bolting the partstogether acting. also as bearings for the re I ecptionof shaftmg tocarrypulleys or gear wheels. For such models a simple and'eiiicient type of.spring motor is frequently required for building into the model for thepurpose of driving the working parts therespring drive,*a brakemechanism, and areversmg gear, and should also be of such a nature'thatit may be detachably connected to the standard parts from which themodel is built up, and be capable of being easily and adjustably.coupled by means of its driven shaft to the rotating elements, or the'like,'-of the model. I

According to the present invention, a simple'type of spring motordriving through. a clockwork train is provided having the aboveadvantages, the gear train being mounted within side plates perforatedaround 1 their edges with holes pitched at equal distances apart. Suchan arrangement enables the. side plates 'to be easily and detachablyconnected by means of bolts and nuts to the perforated strips or platesas used in the construction of models onlthesystem referred to above. Inplace of providing the edges of the-plates with a continuous series ofholes, slots may be formed in the -edges corresponding in width to theholes and of such length as to extend throughout one or These slotsFigure 1. is an edge View of a motor con-. structed in, accordance withthis invention, 2. being a face view of the motor looked "at fromtheleft side of Fig. 1. and having {the left side plate," as seen inthat figure, re.

Specification of Letters Patent.

The'ihvention is illustrated inthe ac fcom-Y .panymig drawings, inwhich,

fication of;the motor, Fig. 8. being an edge view, .Fig. 9. a face Viewwith the leftside plate of Fig. 8. removed, and Fig. 10. a face viewwith the right side plate of Fig. 8. removed. Fig. 11. is anelevatiolxand' Fig. 12. an end detail of the brake and governormechanism of this modification.

In Fig. 3. certain of. the gear wheels and in Fig. 10. the reversinglever are shown dotted for the purpose of facilitating the reading ofthe drawing. The spring 1 of the usual volute type is connected to afixed pin 2 and the spindle 3 of a primary spur wheel 4, which engagesand drives a pinion 5 on the secondary =arbor 6. On thearbort isa gearwheel 7 driving a gear train 8 on the-last spindle 9 of which is abrakedisk 10. This spindle 9 also carries a governor l1 ofany suitableand usual type. The brake disk 10 is adapt- ;ed to be frictionallyengaged by a spring controlled pin 16, and the stopping or starting ofthe motor thus readily eifected. The pin barrel 12,-, Figs. 6. and 7.,containing a spring 13, is fixed in one ofthe sideplates 14 and isprovided with, cam faces 15 The pin 16 is normally pressed into with thedisk 10 by the spring, and 'the outer end of the pin is fitted with amilled turn-button 1.7. within which the'pinma'y be gripped by the setscrew 18, whereby its engagement axial pro ection' from the turn-buttonmay be adjusted and the compression of the pin foot against the disk 10.regulated. The

turn-button 17 is provided with camfacesj 19 similar to, and; adapted toengage, those 'on'the springbarrel, the cam faces on the spring casingand on the turn button forming alternate raised steps and recesses whichfit together when in the position shownwin.

Fig. 6., andallow the foot of the pin 16 to be pressed by the springinto engagement with the brake disk 10. If the button be i turned ineither direction from the position shown in Fig. (5., the cam faces onthe button ride up those on thefixedspring barrel.

holds the button locked permanently in such upon the permanent gearpinions the large gearwheel according off position. while only a slightrotary movement of the button is required, when the brake is to bereleased temporarily. Reversed rotation of the button resets the brake.The gearwheel 7 permanently meshes with another gearwheel or pinion 20,independent of the gear train. Mounted the side plates l-t, 21, from theteeth of the gear-wheels 7 and 20 is another pinion 23. The spindle 22of this pinion forms, or coincides axially with, the pivot of areversing lever 24, and pivotally carried on this'lever so as to lie in,the curved angle formed by the adjacent teeth of the gearivheels 7 and20 is afourth pinion 25 The position of the wheels 7, 20, and 23, beingfixed, and the pinion 25 being pivoted on the lever24, movement of thelever to one or other side will cause en gagement of the pinion 25 witheither of the gearwheels 7 or 20 and as the pinions 25 and 23 aremounted on the lever so as to he always in mesh, the direction ofrotation of the pinion 23 will be reversed 'HC,

cording as to whether the pinion 25 is in engagement with the gearvheels7 or 20. In tlns way the direction of rotation of the driving spindle 22may be altered by operating the lever 24. On the. driving spindle 22isyfixeda dog clutch element 26, the teeth 27 of which are adapted toengage with clutch teeth 28 on a grooved driving pulley 29 which isslidable axially on the spindle 22 to engage or disengage the clutch.Another gear-wheel 30 maybe fixed on the spindle 22 adapted to engage alarge gear-' wheel 31 pivotally carried on a second lever 32, the lever32 oscillating about the spindle 22 in such manner that the gearwheels30 and 31 are always in mesh. Perforations may be formed in both sideplates 14 and 21 on either side '.of the travel of the large gearwheel31, and auxiliary driving spindles 33, 34, may be detachably fitted inthese perforations, to which spindles are secured- 35, 36fwith eitherone of which 31 is adapted-"to be en gaged by operating the lever 32. Inthis moving the lever 32 to one side or to driveeither of the spindles33, 34, and the rotary direction of each spindle varied to the positionof the reversing lever 24. i

A locking mechanism may be provided on for-sited along driving spindle22 in at some little distance .the moving driving pertorations in theside plate, the lever be- 5 mg so resiliently mounted with reference tothe perforations that the projection on the lever will engage theperforations and spring therein. The side plates 14 and 21 are perallfour edges at 37 the perforations heing pitched at equal distances apartwhereby the motor In connected to the standard perforated parts in ction with which the apparatus is adapted to be used, and at suitablepositions in'the edge of the side plates slots 38 may be formedextending throughout one .01 more pitch lengths of the perforations 37,such slots providing for adjustability in connecting the motor plates tothe other parts of the model, where correctly pitched holes would notcome exactly in position. The holes for the spindles 33, 34, are alsomade at dis-* tances from the outer perforations 37 correspending toevenQmultiples of the pitch lengths of the perforations 37, the extendedspindles 34, 35, being utilized for driving parts of the models; i

In Fig. 2. there are shown elements, A A

and B-B, illustrating one way in which elements having perforationsspaced to a standardization can be connectedwith one of the plates ofthe motor by means i) larly spaced perforations therein. 1- I,

In the modification showp in Figs. 8. to 12. the spring 1 drives thespindle 3 of the primary spur wheel 4, whi'eh drives a pinf the simiion5 on the secondary arbor 6 as before, the gearwheel 7 driving a geartrain 8min the last spindle 9 of which is the brake disk 10, and agovernor 11. The brake disk 10 is adapted to be frictionally engaged bya cam lip '16 on a lever 16, pivoted at 16 and pressed outwardly by aspring 16 As thelevertlfia-is thrown over, the lip 16" engages the diskIl)"'compressing the spring 16, and the gee: train ma ,he started orstopped. The gearwheel 7 permanently, meshes with a pinion 20independent of the gear train, another pinion 23 being mounted somedistance from the gear wheels 7520, upon a driving spindle 22 whichforms the pivot of the reversing lever 24..- A pinon 25, carried on thelever 24 and permanently in mesh with the pinion 23 is adapted to bemeshed with either of the gears 7, 20, and the direction of rotation ofthe spindle 22 varied. The'spindle 22" is extended, as

shown in Fig. 8., and by fitting gear wheels (tion of a platehavingperforations adapted ploying ilifiering elements having 'simi larregularly spaced perforations, the COITlblIljEh by their spacing toregister in any of a yari'ety of .ways. with the perforatlons of saidelements, a second plate connected with the first to form aunitarystructure, and a f motor mechanism mounted .between said pair ofplates having perforations adapted plates. I g 1 v p :1

2. In a building mbdehtoy or'the like employing differingflelementshaving similar regularly spaced perforations, the combinaof aunitarystructure comprising a by their spacing to register. in any ofaj'variety of ways with the perforations of said elements and a motormechanism carried by .said plates.

3. In a building model,toy or the like employing difiering elementshaving similar regularly spaced perforations, the combination ofannitary structure comprising'a pair of plates having perforationsadapted "by'their spacing to register in any of.ra variety of ways withthe perforations of said elements and a motor mechanism mounted betweensaid plates. I

4. In a building model, toy orzthe like employing perforated elements,the combination of a pair of plates having perforations adapted toregister with those of said elements, adriving shaft projecting throughone of-said plates, a motor mounted between said plates, a train ofgearing'between saidmotor and shaft, means-for reversing the directionof rotation of said, shaft, and a brake associated with said gearing.-

5. 'In a building model, toy or the like'em r I ployingperforatedelements, the combinai,

'tionof a pair of plates having perforations adapted to register withthose of said ele ments, a driving shaftiprojecting through one ofsaid-plates, a spring'motor mounted between said plates, a train. ofgearing between said motor and shaft, means for re-' versing thedirection of rotation of said shaft, and a friction brake associatedwith I gearing.

7. In a building model, toy likeem ploying perforated'elements, thecombination of a pair of pl'ateshaving perforations adapted to registerwith those of said elements, a driving shaft projecting through one ofsaid plates, a motor mounted between said plates, a train of gearingbetween said disk geared to said'motor, and means cooperating therewithto stop the rotation of said disk.

8. In a building model, toy orthe motor and shaft, means for reversingthe p g direction of rotation of said shaft, a brake like employingperforated elements, the combina tion of a pair of plates havingperforations adapted to register with those of said elements, a drivingshaft projecting through one ofsaid plates, amotor mounted between saidplates, atrain of gearing between said motor and shaft, means' forreversing the direction of rotation of said shaft, two auxfiliaryshafts, means whereby motion isimparted to either of said auxiliaryshafts through said driving shaft, and a brake as sociatedwith saidgearing.

9. Ina building model, toy or the like em- 1 ploying perforatedelements, the oombination of a pair of plates having perforationsadapted to register with those of said ele-' ments, at drivingshaftprojecting through one of said plates,a motor mounted between saidplates, a train of gearing between said motor and shaft, means forreversing the direction of rotat on of said shaft, an auX-' iliaryshaft, a lever pivoted on said' driving shaft, a gear mounted thereon,a. pinion mounted on said driving shaft and meshing with said gear,andva pin on mounted on said auxiliary shaft with which said gear is adaptedto mesh.

10. In a building-model, toy or the like employing perforated elements,the combination of a pair of plates having perfojrations adapted toregister with those of said elements, a driving shaft projecting throughone of said plates, a motor mounted between said plates, a trainofgearing between said motor'and shaft, means for reversing thedirectionof rotation of said shaft, an auxiliary shaft, a lever pivoted onsaiddriving shaft, a gear mounted thereon, a pinion mounted on saiddriving shaft and meshing w1thsaid ear, a pinion mounted on saidauxiliary s aft with which said gear "is adapted to mesh, and a brakeassociated with said train of gearing. I 1

'11. In a, building model, 9y or the like employing differing elementshaving similar uniformly spaced perforations, the combination of aunitary structure comprising a plate having perforations adapted bytheir spacing to register in any of a variety of Ways with theperforations of said elements,

a motor mechanism carried by said plate, and a shaft driven by the motormechanism and projecting through the plate, the perfos'paced from theother perforationsin the said plate at distances which are multiples ofth distances between the said other perforations.

12.5 ration for the reception of the shaft being tances which betweenthe said other perforations.

motor mechanism and "theuilates, the perforations for the rece a pair ofplates having perforations adapted by their spacing tdregister in any ofa variety of ways with the erforations of said elements, a motor "me'cianism carried by said plates, and a shaft driven by the projectingthrough tion of the shaft being spaced from t e other perforations inthe said plate at disare multiples of the distances 13. In a buildingmodel, employing nation of a tions adapted to register with those ofsaid elements, a motor mounted between said plates, a shaft driven bysaid motor and projecting through one of said plates, a counter fishaftprojecting through perforations in said plates, and gearing connectionsbetween said shaft and counter shaft, the perforations for the receptionof said counter shaft being uniformly spaced with respect to the otherperforations in said plates and elements.

toy or the like perforated elements, the combil l. In a building model,toy or the like employing perforatedelements, the combination of a pairof plates having perform tions adapted to register with those of saidelements, a motor mounted between said pair ofplates having perforaplates, a shaft driven by said motor and proecting through one of saidplates, a plurality of con r shafts projecting through perforatignsfinsaid plates, and gearing to conneeesaid shaft and counter shafts, theperforations for the reception of said counter shafts being-uniformlyspaced with respect to the other perforations in said plates andelements.

15. The combination in a, working model, toy or the like, of differingelements having therein perforations spaced to a standardiza tion common.to said elements, and a motor having in its structure perforations alsospaced to the aforesaid standardization and adapted thereby to registerwith perforations in the elements in securing the motor thereto.

16. The combination in a Working model, toy or the like, of differingelements having therein perforations spaced to a standardization commonto said elements, and a motor including in its structure a. plate havingtherein a succession of perforations also spaced to the aforesaidstandardization and adapted thereby to register with perforations in theelements in securing the motor thereto.

In testimony whereof I lure. v

aiiix my signaa FRANK ,HORNBY. Witnesses j a A. J. Dnvrns; H. Werson.

